Dear Friends of the Tampa Occupy Movement;

Okay, the rest of the world now understands that there is dissatisfaction with corporate greed and influence peddling in government. Now, what exactly are you really going to do about it? It is one thing to call 911 when your neighbor’s house is on fire; it is another thing to grab a bucket to help throw water on it.

I know you all love to hate the Tea Party Movement for the unequal influence they seem to have over the Republican Party and our government, but despite their relatively small numbers, they are all registered to vote and they communicate that to elected officials who in turn promote their Tea Party line.

Recent census data for Florida shows that only about half of eligible residents are registered to vote and only half of them actually vote. Those votes are split pretty much in half between the two major parties. That means that it would only take half of unregistered voters to elect a “no party affiliation” candidate, and far less to decide a vote between a Democrat and a Republican candidate.

Step one: Occupy the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections offices by going down there to (peacefully) register to vote. You can even go online to download the form and mail it in.

Step two: Occupy the ballot box by exercising your Constitutional right to vote for the candidates who most closely align themselves with your values and vision for America. You can also vote by mail.

Step three: Occupy government, at all levels, by not only voting for sympathetic candidates, but by organizing and running for office, or at the very least, by keeping your elected officials informed and by working to help them get re-elected against corporate politicians.

Thank the Tea Party pioneers for showing the way. Now get out there and win the race.